Understanding Country Codes, Exit Codes, and Prefixes for India (2026 Guide)

Dialing India from abroad requires three key elements: the **country code** (+91), your **exit code** (varies by country), and the correct Indian number format. In 2026, most people use smartphones with automatic + dialing, but understanding these components ensures you never get “number not reachable” errors — especially for landlines or when using older phones.

At Dial91, we help millions dial India correctly every year. This guide explains everything: India’s country code, exit codes for major countries, international prefixes, and step-by-step dialing instructions for mobile and landline numbers.

1. India’s Country Code: +91

Every international call to India must start with **+91** — India’s official country code.

Important facts in 2026:

• +91 is the same for mobiles, landlines, toll-free, and all Indian numbers
• Always use +91 — never just 91, 0091, or 01191
• On smartphones, long-press the 0 key to get the + sign

2. Exit Codes (International Access Codes) by Country

The **exit code** (also called international access code or IDD prefix) tells your phone carrier you’re making an international call. It’s dialed before the country code.

Common exit codes in 2026:

• United States / Canada: 011
• United Kingdom: 00
• Australia: 0011
• Germany / most of Europe: 00
• Russia: 8 – wait for tone – 10
• China: 00
• Japan: 010
• India (to call abroad): 00
• Most other countries: 00

Modern smartphone tip: On iPhone and Android, you don’t usually need to dial the exit code manually. Just type +91 and the number — the phone automatically adds the correct exit code based on your location/SIM.

3. Correct Dialing Formats for India

Mobile Numbers (Most Common)

Format from abroad: +91 XXXXXXXXXX (10 digits, starts with 6–9)

Examples:

• From USA/Canada: 011 91 98765 43210
• From UK/Europe: 00 91 98765 43210
• From smartphone (any country): +91 98765 43210

Landline Numbers

Format from abroad: +91 – STD Code – Subscriber Number

Examples:

• Delhi landline: +91 11 2345 6789
• Mumbai landline: +91 22 8765 4321
• From USA: 011 91 11 2345 6789
• From UK: 00 91 22 8765 4321

Toll-Free Numbers (1800 & 000800)

Format from abroad:

• 1800 numbers: +91 1800 XXX XXXX
• 000800 numbers: +91 000800 XXX XXXX

4. Step-by-Step: How to Dial India Correctly

1. Start with your exit code (011 in USA/Canada, 00 in most other countries) – OR just type + on smartphone
2. Add India country code: 91
3. Add the Indian number:
   • Mobile: 10 digits (starts with 6–9)
   • Landline: STD code (2–4 digits) + subscriber number
4. Press call

5. Common Dialing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

• Forgetting +91 → Fix: Always start with +91
• Adding extra 0s → Wrong: +919876543210 → Fix: +91 9876543210
• Missing STD code on landline → Fix: Include area code
• Using 10-digit mobile format for landline → Fix: Use correct format
• Dialing old 11-digit format → Wrong: +919112345678 → Fix: +91 11 2345678

Final Thoughts

Dialing India correctly in 2026 is simple once you know the rules: start with +91 (country code), use your local exit code (011, 00, etc.), then add the correct Indian number — 10 digits for mobiles or STD code + subscriber for landlines. Save contacts with +91 already included, use VoIP for cheap rates, and you’ll never get a wrong number error again. Whether calling family mobiles, office landlines, or toll-free numbers, you’re now fully equipped to connect reliably from anywhere in the world.